Can't Remove Fork Oil Seal

I have a major problem removing the oil seal on the lower fork boot of my XJ650. I got it apart and down to the retaining clip no problem, but per Haynes and everyone else, prying the oil seal oil is a nightmare. The rubber ended up crumbling away in some places and I'm down to a metal outer ring in those spots. Also, a ring spring came out the bottom. I'm assuming it's seized in there and super old, falling apart while I try and move it. How would you recommend getting this out? Make a cut in it and bend it out is what my gut says, but it seems like it shouldn't be this hard...

 

pry with screwdrive with some protective covering between screwdriver and fork body. heat it up with a heat gun or hair drier to soften.

did you remove the wire clip holding it in?

 

Yeah, circlip is out. The rubber just cracks off and breaks. There’s a metal outer ring that it basically goes down to. Is this the outside of the oil seal?

 

Yep pry away and just make sure not to ding up the surface metal of the tube....good luck.

 

if ever there were a time to test that alum trick, this is it

 

What trick is that?

 

The kitchen cooking spice alum can be used mixed with warm water to dissolve stuck hardware. Science!

 

Ended up doing the ol' PB Blaster and Torch method and it ended up coming out. The seals were nasty. Haven't seen the light of day in about 40 years...